Clamp on gas block apparatus

ABSTRACT

Gas block apparatus for receiving combustion gases from a firearm barrel clamps onto the barrel. A block is disposed on the top of the barrel and a clamp portion is disposed on the bottom of the barrel and clamps onto the block to secure the block to the barrel. The block is aligned to a gas bore in the barrel through which combustion gases flow and a pair of bores, vertical and horizontal, in the block receive the combustion gases. A key system or a pin system may be used for aligning the vertical bore in the block to the gas bore in the barrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to gas blocks, and more particularly, to gasblocks for firearms having a gas actuated action, such as AR-15 stylerifles and pistols.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior art gas blocks are one piece elements located on their riflebarrels and, of course, appropriately aligned with the hole in thebarrel through which the gases from the fired cartridge flow into thegas block and back to the action for expelling the spent cartridge caseand for chambering a fresh cartridge. Such gas blocks cannot be readilyremoved from a barrel which has a muzzle brake or a flash suppressorinstalled.

A clamp on gas block of the present invention may be easily removedwithout the need for special equipment and by unskilled personnel. Sucha gas block may also be removed as an aid in cleaning or repairing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The clamp on gas block of the present invention comprises a two pieceunit appropriately secured to a firearm barrel by a keyed, pinned, orother connection. The two piece unit includes a top portion aligned tothe rifle gas discharge hole. The unit includes rails for addingattachments, such as a laser, a flashlight, pop up sight, etc.

Among the objects of the present invention are the following:

To provide new and useful gas block apparatus for a firearm;

To provide new and useful gas block apparatus having at least twoelements;

To provide new and useful gas block apparatus keyed to a firearm barrelfor appropriate alignment with a gas discharge hole;

To provide new and useful gas block apparatus having an alignment pinfor appropriate alignment with a gas discharge hole;

To provide new and useful gas block apparatus having two parts includinga top block portion and a bottom clamp portion; and

To provide new and useful gas block apparatus having rails for attachingdesirable elements to a firearm barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of an AR-15 style rifle including the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the rifle of FIG. 1 withthe present invention attached.

FIG. 3 is a front view in partial section of the apparatus of thepresent invention taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the gas blockapparatus shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in partial section of a portion of thepresent invention illustrating elements for aligning the gas blockapparatus on a rifle barrel.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in partial section of an alternate embodimentof the elements illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in partial section of another alternateembodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in partial section of another alternateembodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a side view of an AR-15 style rifle 10 on which a clamp on gasblock apparatus 40 of the present invention is installed. The rifle 10,in addition to other elements not part of or necessary for anunderstanding of the present invention, includes a stock 12, an action14, a trigger 16, a hand grip 18, a magazine holder 20, a barrel 22, ahand guard 24, a sight and a carrying handle 26. The rifle 10 alsoincludes a magazine adapter 30 and a magazine 32 is disposed in theadapter 30 and is in operative communication with the magazine 32.

On top of the barrel 22 is the clamp on gas block apparatus 40 of thepresent invention, and a tube 36 extends from the gas block apparatus 40to the action 14. Combustion gases, or gases resulting from the firingof a cartridge, flow down the barrel 22 and flow from the barrel 22through a gas bore in the barrel to the block apparatus 40 and into andthrough the tube 36 to the action 14.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the barrel 22 with theclamp on gas block apparatus 40 shown secured to the barrel 22 and witha portion of the tube 36 shown secured to the gas block apparatus 40.

FIG. 3 is a view in partial section of the barrel 22 and the clamp ongas block apparatus 40 secured to the barrel 22. For the followingdiscussion, reference will primarily be made to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The clamp on gas block apparatus 40 includes a block 42 and a clamp 70.The block 42 includes a central bottom curved surface 44 which conformsto the curvature of the barrel 22. Extending outwardly from the curvedsurface 44 are two connector surfaces 46 and 48. The surfaces 46 and 48are generally planar and parallel with each other.

The block 40 also includes three rail elements 50, 52, and 54. The railelement 50 is disposed on the top of the block 42 and the rail elements52 and 54 comprise side rail lobes on the block 40. The rail elements50, 52, and 54 allow desirable elements to be secured to the rifle 10,as referred to above.

A bore 56 extends vertically in the block 42 and communicates with ahorizontal bore 58 also in the block 42. The bore 58 receives one end ofthe tube 36. The bore 56 is generally perpendicular to the bore 58. Thetube 36 includes a bore 60 which is aligned with the bore 56.

The bore vertical 56 is aligned with a gas hole or bore 38 in the barrel22. The gas bore 38 extends from a bore 34 in the barrel 22 to the topof the barrel 22. The combustion gases flow down the bore 34 of thebarrel 22 behind a bullet, not shown, propelling the bullet outwardlyfrom the barrel 22. When the gases reach the bore 38, the gases flowupwardly into and through the bore 38 and into the bore 56 and on intothe aligned bore 60 in the tube 36. From the bore 60, the gases flowthrough the tube 36 to the action 14. The tube 36 is disposed in thebore 58, as stated above. As is well known and understood, thecombustion gases operate the action 14 to eject the spent cartridge caseand load a fresh cartridge into the chamber of the action 14.

The clamp portion 70 of the apparatus 40 includes an upper curvedsurface 72 which curved surface aligns with the curved surface 44 of theblock 42 and accordingly is disposed against the bottom portion of thebarrel 22. Extending outwardly from the curved surface 72 are twoconnector surfaces or lands 74 and 76. The surfaces 74 and 76 aredisposed against the connector surfaces or lands 46 and 48,respectfully. Screws 80 and 82 extend through bores or holes in theclamp 70 and into tapped apertures in the block 42 to secure the block42 to the barrel 22. The surfaces or lands 74, 46 and 76, 48 aregenerally planar for a precision fit between the block 42 and the clamp70.

FIG. 4 is a view in partial section through the barrel 22 and analternate embodiment 100 of the clamp on gas block apparatus 40 asillustrated in FIG. 3.

The clamp on gas block apparatus 100 is substantially identical to theapparatus 40 except that the rail elements 50, 52, and 54 are notincluded.

The apparatus 100 includes a block 102, and the block 102 includes abottom curved surface 104 and a pair of bottom connector surfaces 106and 108.

A bore 110 extends into the block 102 from the bottom curved surface 104and is appropriately aligned with the gas bore 38 in the barrel 22. Thebore 110 extends to a bore 112. The tube 36 is secured to the block 102of the clamp on gas block apparatus 100 in the bore 112. The bore 60 ofthe tube 36 is aligned with the bore 110 and the bore 38 for receivingthe combustion gases from the barrel 22 through the bores 34 and 38.

The clamp element 120 includes an upper curved surface 122 which isappropriately mated to the curvature of the barrel 22 and is alignedwith the curved surface 104 of the block 102. The aligned curvedsurfaces 104 and 122, together, comprise essentially a cylindricalsurface which matingly engage outer surface of the barrel 22.

The clamp element 120 also includes a pair of upper clamping surfaces124 and 126 which extend outwardly from the curved surface 122. Thesurfaces 124 and 126 are generally planar and aligned with each other.The surfaces 124 and 126 are disposed against the surfaces 106 and 108of the block 102, respectively. The clamp 120 also includes a bottomsurface 128 which is generally flat or planar, but which also mayinclude a rail, a swivel mount, a sling ring, etc.

Extending upwardly from the surface 128 are two holes or apertures whichextend through the surfaces 124 and 126 and are aligned with tappedapertures which extend upwardly from the surfaces 106 and 108,respectively. A pair of screws 130 and 132 extend through the holes orapertures in the clamping element 120 and into the tapped apertures inthe block 102 to secure the two elements 102 and 120 together and to thebarrel 22.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in partial section of a portion of a riflebarrel 140 and a clamp 150 illustrating the alignment of the gas blockapparatus of the present invention to a rifle barrel. The rifle barrel140 includes a bore 142 and a gas bore 144 extends upwardly from thebore 142. Generally aligned with the gas bore 144 is an alignment hole146. The alignment hole 146 extends upwardly into the rifle barrel 140 arelatively short distance.

A clamp element 150 is shown disposed against the bottom of the barrel140, with a curved bottom portion 152 receiving the lower portion of thebarrel 140. A pair of upper connector portions 154 and 156 extendoutwardly from the curved portion 152 and appropriately mate with lowerconnector portions of a block, not shown. Also not shown are the screwsand their bores which secure the clamp 150 to the block and to the riflebarrel 140.

An alignment pin 158 extends upwardly from the curved surface 152 andextends into the alignment hole 146 to align the clamp 150 and its blockand the bores in the block (not shown, but see FIGS. 3 and 4) relativeto the gas bore 144.

FIG. 6 is also an enlarged view in partial section of a portion of abarrel 170 and a clamp 180, illustrating an alternate embodiment of theelements shown in FIG. 5.

The barrel 170 includes a bore 172, and a gas bore 174 extends upwardlyfrom the bore 172. Extending downwardly from the barrel 170, andappropriately aligned with the bore 174, is an alignment pin 176.

The clamp 180 includes an upper curved surface 182 which receives alower portion of the barrel 170. A pair of connecting surfaces 184 and186 extend outwardly from the curved surface 182. A pin receiving hole188 extends downwardly into the clamp from the curved surface 182. Thehole 188 is aligned with the pin 176 for the appropriate alignment ofthe clamp 180, and its block (not shown), as discussed above.

The embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 are essentially opposites with respectto the alignment pins and holes. Moreover, while the gas bores and pinsand holes are shown vertically aligned, they need not be so aligned.They may be offset longitudinally, if desired. For convenience, they areshown vertically aligned.

FIG. 7 is also an enlarged view in partial section, illustrating anotheralternate embodiment of alignment elements. A barrel 200 is shown, alongwith a clamp 210. The barrel 200 includes a bore 202, and a gas bore 204extends upwardly from the bore 204. Aligned vertically opposite the gasbore 204 is a key slot 206. The key slot 206 extends upwardly into thebarrel 200 in an arcuate configuration.

The clamp 210 includes a curved surface 212 which receives the lowerportion of the barrel 200. The clamp 210 also includes a pair ofconnector surfaces 214 and 215 which extend outwardly from the curvedsurface 212.

At the bottom of the curved surface 212 and vertically aligned with thebore 204 and the key slot 206 is a slot 218. A key 220 is disposed inand appropriately secured to the slot 220. The key 220 extends into thekey slot 206 to properly align the clamp 210 to the barrel 200 to insurealignment of the bore 204 with a bore in the block (not shown) to whichthe clamp 210 will be secured. Again, reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 or4 may be made to understand the relationship between a block, a clamp,and the bores and tube through which the combustion gases flow from abarrel to the action of a rifle.

And, again, while the key slot 206 and the key 220 are shown verticallyaligned, they may be longitudinally offset, if desired, as stated above.While perhaps more cumbersome than the alignments shown and discussed,there may also be alignments other than vertical or longitudinal, ifdesired. There need be only an alignment between the barrel and blockand clamp elements that aligns the gas bore in a rifle barrel with thebore in a block. How that alignment is accomplished is a matter ofchoice or of manufacturing convenience.

FIG. 8 is a view in partial section illustrating another alignmentmethod, comprising using the screws which are used to secure a clampapparatus 250 to a rifle barrel as a pair of alignment pins. The screwsare disposed in aligned recesses on the barrel and of course, through aclamp portion 270 and into a block portion 252 of the clamp apparatus250.

FIG. 8 illustrates a barrel 230, with a gas bore 234 extending upwardlyfrom a bore 232. At the sides of the barrel 230 are two aligned recesses236 and 238.

Clamp apparatus 250 includes the block 252 and the clamp 270. The block252 includes a pair of tapped bores 254 and 256. The block 252 alsoincludes a bore 258 which is aligned with the gas bore 234 of the barrel230 and a bore 260 which receives a gas tube, not shown.

The clamp 270 includes a bottom surface 272 and a pair of screw bores274 and 276 which extend upwardly from the bottom surface 272. The bores274 and 276 are aligned with the tapped bores 254 and 256, respectively.

A pair of screws 284 and 286 extend through the aligned bores 254,274and 256, 276 and are disposed in the barrel recesses 236 and 238,respectively. The screws 284 and 286 comprise twin alignment pins foraligning the gas block apparatus 250 to the barrel 230 by means of therecesses 236 and 238. The screws 282 and 284 accordingly perform twofunctions, alignment pins in cooperation with the barrel recesses 236and 238, and fastening elements for securing the clamp element 270 tothe block element 252 and thus the clamp apparatus 250 to the barrel230.

While the present invention is illustrated in conjunction with an AR-15style rifle, the apparatus, as stated above, is applicable to anyfirearm which uses combustion gases flowing through a tube from thefirearm barrel to the action. This includes rifles and pistols. Theclaims are accordingly not limited to a particular style firearm.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear inillustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to thoseskilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement,proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in thepractice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adaptedto specific environments and operative requirements without departingfrom those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover andembrace any and all such modifications, within the limits only of thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

1. Gas block apparatus for a firearm barrel having a gas bore throughwhich combustion gases flow comprising in combination: a first portionincluding a block having a bottom disposed on the firearm barrel and arear face, a first bore in the block extending upwardly into the blockfrom the bottom, a second bore communicating with the first bore andextending to the rear face; a clamp portion having a top disposed on thefirearm barrel and aligned with the block; means for aligning the firstbore of the block with the gas bore in the barrel through which thecombustion gases flow; and means for securing the clamp portion to thefirst portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means foraligning the first bore of the block with the gas bore in the barrelcomprises a slot on the barrel and a key on the clamp portion, and thekey extends into the slot.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which themeans for aligning the first bore with the gas bore in the barrelcomprises an alignment pin on the clamp portion and a hole in thebarrel, and the pin extends into the hole.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1in which the means for aligning the first bore with the gas bore in thebarrel comprises an alignment pin on the barrel and a hole in the clampportion, and the pin extends into the hole.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1in which the means for securing the clamp portion to the first portionincludes a pair of screws extending between the first portion and theclamp portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the second borereceives a tube through which the combustion gases flow from the block.7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the first portion further includesat least a single set of rails for securing desired elements to theblock.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the first portion furtherincludes a plurality of sets of rails for securing a plurality ofdesired elements to the block.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which themeans for aligning the first bore in the block with the gas bore in thebarrel includes a pair of recesses on the barrel and a pair of screwsdisposed in the recesses and extending from the clamp portion to thefirst portion.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the means forsecuring the clamp portion to the first portion includes the pair ofscrews disposed in the pair of recesses and extending from the clampportion to the first portion.